MACC Greyhounds women lose first game

The Moberly Area Community College Women's Basketball team traveled to Cedar Rapids, IA this past weekend, earning in a split in their two contests at Kirkwood Community College.

On Friday night, MACC jumped out to an early advantage and led 34-27 at the half against Des Moines Area Community College behind nine first half points by Marida Lewis and seven points from Shanevian Holden.

The Greyhound Women then used a 16-6 run over the first five minutes of the second half to extend their lead to 17, 50-33, as Britany Rowell converted multiple baskets on the interior. MACC still held their 17 point advantage midway through the second half, leading 57-40, and Des Moines Area would get no closer than 11 the remainder of the game as the Greyhound Women went on to win 67-55.

"We did a nice job of attacking their half court trap and managed to get the types of shots we discussed taking," said head coach Chad Killinger. "We fouled a little too much on the defensive end of the floor, but overall it was a solid effort."

MACC was outrebounded for only the second time all season, as Des Moines Area came away with a 35-34 rebounding advantage, which Killinger explained was lost on the last possession. "We gave up three offensive rebounds on the last possession of the game," he said. "It's a little disheartening because we had won that battle up until that point and the people who were in at the end gave that away."

Rowell scored a career high 19 points in the victory, making six of nine shots from the field and seven of 10 free throw attempts. She also contributed four steals. Lewis joined Rowell in double figures with 11 points, while Holden and Kelsey Williams scored nine points each. Williams also had six assists and Kenyada Brown led the Greyhound Women on the glass with seven rebounds.

On Saturday night, MACC took on the host Kirkwood Lady Eagles, who were coming off a victory over previously undefeated Northeast Community College the previous night. Despite getting off to a slow start that saw Kirkwood convert back to back three point plays to seize an early 6-2 lead the Greyhound Women managed to stay within striking distance for the majority of the first half.

MACC trailed by just four points, 23-19, with five minutes left in the half, despite early foul trouble that sidelined starters Holden and Brown, and eventually Rowell. However, Kirkwood would close the half on a 7-2 run to take a 30-21 lead into the intermission.

"We just didn't execute very well on the offensive end of the floor," said Killinger. "We settled for a lot of shots, didn't get the ball into the lane, and then compounded our lack of offense by fouling too much."

Page 2 of 2 - Any momentum the Greyhound Women hoped to build coming out of halftime quickly went away as Kirkwood made three quick three point field goals to extend to a 39-23 lead just three minutes into the half. Kirkwood would eventually lead by as many as 23 points before ending MACC's 11 game winning streak in a 63-44 decision.

"There are certain things you have to do when you go on the road that we didn't do," stated Killinger. "You have to play with more discipline and you can't make as many mistakes as we did on both ends of the floor. We have to mature a little bit and learn to move on to the next play when things don't go our way."

While the Greyhound Women outrebounded Kirkwood , 38-34, the Lady Eagles made better use of their second chances, outscoring MACC 16-5 in offensive rebound points. Kirkwood also did a better job of taking advantage of their free throw opportunities, knocking down 24 of 28 attempts compared to just 10 of 18 for the Greyhound Women. "You have to give Kirkwood a lot of credit," said Killinger. "There is a reason they won four straight national championships from 2007-2010. They have a good program and this weekend they were just better than us."

Lewis was the only MACC player to reach double figures against Kirkwood, scoring 12 points despite shooting one of seven from the three point line.

The Greyhound Women travel to Fulton to take on Westminster J.V. on Tuesday night, which will mark their 13th game in just 34 days. "It's been a little grueling," said Killinger. "But, in the long run it should make us a better team."